What Is Forensic Entomology?

Forensic entomology is the study of insects in legal cases. Usually forensic entomology is associated with how insects feed on dead bodies, but the science may also be used in civil cases, such as the investigation of contaminated food.

Forensic entomology uses bugs to resolve legal issues.

History

In 1855, the French entomologist Bergeret was the first scientist to view bugs in a legal context. In this case, a baby's body was found and Bergeret looked at insects on the body to determine when the child died.

Time of Death

Forensic entomology is used to determine the time that someone died. This is done when scientists examine when insects colonized on a body based on their weight and length.

The Absence of Bugs

Just as the presence of bugs can be a clue in a murder cases, the absence of bugs can also yield important information. Flies prefer sunny, outdoor locations, so if a body is found indoors with fly eggs or larvae, the body was outdoors at some point and moved.

Detection of Abuse

In some cases, insects can uncover abuse of a victim that may have been drugged or tied up. Certain types of flies are attracted to urine and feces, and their presence at a crime scene may mean that a victim was abused and left in these bodily materials.

DNA

When an insect feeds on a human body, oftentimes DNA can be extracted from its digestive system. This information can sometimes link a suspect to a victim.

References

• forensicentomology.com
• American Board of Forensic Entomologists